NEW DELHI, Dec 13 — Malaysia booked a place in the semifinals of the Junior World Cup with a 2-1 win over South Korea at Dyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi.
The last time Malaysia made the last four was at the 1982 edition in Kuala Lumpur. They will take on France in the semis today.
The Malaysians were outstanding, both in attack and defence, and gave scant respect to the Koreans who had dumped India in the quarterfinals.
“I am speechless. This is indeed a great moment for Malaysian hockey. I dedicate this feat to all Malaysians whose prayers have been answered,” said coach K. Dharmaraj.
“We went out there to give our best and believed the result would be in our favour.
“We look forward to the match against France as we have nothing to lose. France are a great team as they sent Belgium, the European champions, out in the quarters.”
Both sides took a cautious approach to the game from the opening whistle and it was the Malaysians who took the early gamble to push more men forward.
The decision almost paid off as Muhammad Rashid Baharom was found unmarked in the circle by Faiz Helmi Jalil, but first time effort on goal sailed agonisingly wide.
The Koreans took advantage of the extra space and immediately raced forward to the other end and won their first penalty corner of the match.
Danger man You Seungju stepped up to try and give Korea the lead, but Muhammad Izad Hakimi Jamalludin was on hand to deny the flicker on two occasions.
Malaysia then earned their first penalty corner of the game in the 9th minute but Izad Hakimi failed to deflect home a set piece.
K.Dharmaraj’s side then took control of the match and begun to torment the Korean defence and after a wave of attacks, Malaysia finally found the breakthrough in the 19th minute.
Faiz Helmi’s cross from the right flank found Muhammad Shahril Saabah in the circle, the striker was calm enough to slot the ball home after being pressured by three South Korean defenders.
However, the Koreans had the final say of the first half as eight minutes before the half time hooter Seungju found the back of the net from their fourth penalty corner after his powerful drag flick deflected off Izad Hakimi’s stick and sailed into goal.
The second half saw Malaysia taking charge and in the 45th minute skipper Fitri came close with a reverse stick attempt that sailed inches wide.
In the 53rd minute Mohd Syamim Yusof came close and ten minutes from time Shahril’s reverse stick hit sailed agonisingly close.
But Shahril was not to be denied as he sent his penalty corner attempt sailing into goal in the 63rd minute for a historic place in the semis.
